Thoughts From the Backyard Swing
[ written at 9:30 AM this morning ]
Heather and Patty took off about an hour ago. I downloaded my personal e-mail, make a checklist of things to do while everyone is gone, and then brought the kids outside for some fun!
They are riding their bikes around our parking area, and could not be happier. The sun is still low enough in the sky that the kids are in the shade, and it is still not too hot . . . not yet at least. There’s a nice breeze that is cooling my tootsies as I sit here in the yard swing. I’m listening to CD’s and I’m feeling peaceful and composed.
This work laptop is wonderful to have. I do actually have to do some job-related work during these two days off, but that’s more a matter of my worrying about the extra workload distributed from our soon-to-be-departed comrade. I won’t worry about doing any work this morning. I’ll wait until the kids are napping, and then I will get something done. It’s not the end of the world working on vacation days. After all, I’m just watching the kids.
Don’t get me wrong: this work laptop is more than just a convenient toy for me to use on the porch swing. It’s a tool I need to utilize to get more done when I cannot be in the office. I’m thankful to have it for productivity purposes, and it should make work life a little easier. Nevertheless, it’s a neat tool to have here at home for writing and for when I cannot or do not want to be in my home office.
I think I will take Katelyn to the pier tonight after dinner. I cannot get enough of that place. The lake is beautiful, the boats are fun to watch, and the there is something very uncrowded and serene about being on concrete 200 yards from land. Heather either took the digital camera or the video camera, but not both. I’ll take some more pictures, and just have a big old time.
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After we picked up Dylan on Sunday afternoon, we had a very enlightening conversation about father/son activities, and I now have a much better understanding of what went through my own father’s mind when I was 12 years old.
We somehow got on the topic of going to sporting events. I told Dylan that I would love to take him to a Western Michigan University football game this fall. He said he had no interest, but would be willing to go see an Indianapolis Colts or Chicago Bears game. The college game holds no interest in his eyes, but he would want to see a pro game. Of course, going to Indy or Chicago for a game would cost a whole bundle more than a trip to Kalamazoo, so I don’t know how feasible that is at this time. Although I know that he would have just as much fun at a college game, and even a mid-major Division I game, he has it set in his mind that it would be lame.
I also told him all about the Nashville Sounds game I saw the previous week, and told him that we needed to go see the South Bend Silver Hawks this summer. Again, baseball is not the least bit interesting to him at all. However, he would love to go see a Chicago Fire soccer game, or even a University of Notre Dame soccer game.
I think back to the activities my father wanted to do. He liked car racing, and always wanted to go. I could have cared less about racing, and was not shy about stating my opinions on the subject. Had my father wanted to go see a college or pro football, baseball, or basketball game, I would have been equally disinterested.
Nowadays my father could ask me to go to a Tennessee Walking Horse show, and although I could not care less about horses, I would readily agree. I guarantee that I would find something to capture my interest, and it would be nice to have some guy time with my dad. Plus, I have a far greater interest in sports than I did when I was 12. Although I am lousy at baseball/softball, I am a fan of watching the game, and wish we would have gone to games when I was a kid.
So, I now understand the disappointment my dad felt many years ago. No, it’s not that I am disappointed in Dylan – after all, he likes what he likes, and does not like what he does not like – but I’m looking for a buddy to do the things that I like, and I want that buddy to be Dylan. I cannot hold him responsible for not liking baseball or college football.
However, I do know that Dylan would love to see a college or pro soccer game, and I would love to do that too. We have a commonality, and that’s what I want to focus upon. I also have to be fair and give him choices. Several of the guys in my Sunday School class like hockey, and I want to plan an outing to see the Kalamazoo K-Wings this fall with them. I’ll give Dylan the option to go, and I will make it his decision to go or stay home. I will respect what he wants to do. He deserves that.
buck on 06.20.06 @ 03:48 PM EST [link]
Big Promises for Big Brother . . . or Big Bust?
listening to: FM 90.7 -- Andrews University -- Classical
New York Daily News - TV and Radio - Big names back on 'Big Brother'
"Grodner promises alterations in the house - and how the game is played. "There are changes in terms of the challenges, in terms of how hard it is to live in this house," she said. 'This is not your mama's 'Big Brother.' It's going to have more edge than it has in the past.'"
Well, we will see about that. Big Brother has a way of keeping me interested in spite of the lame themes often presented as "twists." The X-Factor of Season Four was really the best twist of them all as far as I am concerned. Project DNA of Season Five had its moments of drama with Michael and Nakomis, but strangely piddled out despite the Twin Twist. Last year's Summer of Secrets honestly brought the game down a notch. One could argue that some of the houseguests were not really Big Brother material, and were there merely because of the secret teams. This was the weakest cast from top to bottom of all the seasons I have watched. Then again, the cast did not prevent me from tuning in each and every week.
So, when the producers say that the game has more edge, I have to yawn a bit in all honesty. Big promises, small results. The houseguests are entertaining in spite of the package presented. Maybe that's the point.
buck on 06.20.06 @ 12:24 AM EST [link]
Monday, June 19th
Shot Down in Flames . . . But Boy, the Ride Was Fun
Tonight was Oakridge’s third softball game of the year, but only my second since I was in Nashville last Monday. I did not get any hits, but showed some promise at the plate. My first at-bat in the top of the second inning was an all-around strike-out. I went down swinging. The pitcher for Napier is the best in our league, and my best strategy is to fire away instead of watching balls hit the plate. I would rather go after them than get called strikes.
My second at-bat could have been a nightmare for some car owner. I had a really nice connection that went about 100 feet . . . into the left field foul area, clean over the fence, and just a few feet from the parked cars. In fact, it did roll into a vehicle after bouncing a couple times. I know why I hooked it left so badly. This pitcher has extremely high pitches that take forever to drop. We play in an unlimited arc league; all pitches must arc at least six feet high, and his seem like sixty feet high. So, I think I got a little ancy, and started to open up my stance a little early. By the time I went into my full swing, I was well aimed to left field anyway. That foul ball was my third strike in the bottom of the fourth, but I got a nice ovation from the crowd.
So, I went 0 for 2, but I feel good about what I attempted up there at the plate. I feel like I have a lot more power now that I have a different batting stance. I may be a little tight and wound up, but I feel like I could pound one well into shallow outfield for a single. If I can just hook the shots fair enough, I could get a tight double by sending the ball along the third base line. Ah, if only I had played baseball as a kid! Regrets! Regrets!
I played second base again this game. I was uncomfortable, but all I really could do was just throw myself at the ball and let God do the rest. I managed to keep a sharp line drive from getting into the outfield, and thus only allowing a single. I also impressed everyone by trying to turn a double play. The shortstop flipped me the ball for the force out, and I then spun and tried for the force at first. I was well behind in throwing, but the effort and thought were there.
Not all was glitter and smiles, though. I botched one infield play, and allowed a single. Oh well.
Hey, I got two at-bats this game, and actually helped with defensive outs. So, there you go. Although we lost to Napier, it was not a slaughter. We were in it the entire game, and only lost by about five. Hey, I now have a snazzy green team shirt with my name on the back too!
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Summer camp is nearly upon us! Well, nearly upon Heather and Dylan. They take off at 10 AM tomorrow morning. Dylan is spending the night with Pastor Nick and Stephanie. Patty is here with us. I’ll be on vacation tomorrow and Wednesday, so it will be fun to be with Katelyn.
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Work has taken a turn for the difficult. One of the members of our Network Design team has turned in his two weeks notice. He’s a crucial cog in our little machine. He could not have picked a worse time to leave the company. There are several project implementations going on in July and August, so we are all a little nervous about where this leaves us. I already know some of the tasks I will be inheriting, but the rest is in question. I knew this would be a busy summer at work, but it just got busier.
Hey, at least I have a snazzy green team shirt with my name on the back too!
buck on 06.19.06 @ 11:42 PM EST [link]
Sunday, June 18th
Quiet Father's Day
Father’s Day was pretty quiet for me. We had an easy time getting ready for church, and we made it plenty early with no stress or sweat. Sunday School went well for me, and service itself was pretty routine.
We got Dylan back today, though, after over a week with his father. Our original plan was to return directly home for lunch, but the kids convinced us to go to Ryan’s Steakhouse in South Bend. Although the meal was nice, that place is just too crowded. Honestly, that was the low part of the day, if you can call a buffet restaurant a low part.
After getting home, Katelyn went down for her normal nap, and Dylan and I played Texas Hold’em while Heather and Amy went to shop for church camp supplies. After Katelyn awoke, she and Dylan took turns throwing tiny apples at me outside . . . which was a lot more fun than it sounds. Dylan nailed me a couple times with a bit more vigor than I would have wanted, but I could not have hated it too much if I did not really make them quit. I did some fatherly tree trimming, and we all went back inside at 7 PM.
Dinner consisted of leftover chicken and pasta, and two consecutive episodes of Miami Ink on TLC. I’ve no interest in getting a tattoo, but the stories and artwork are interesting.
Yep, a pretty quiet night and a pretty quiet Father’s Day. Fine with me after a week in Nashville.
Hey, tell me about your Father's Day! Comment or send me e-mail.
buck on 06.18.06 @ 11:31 PM EST [link]
Early Depiction of Calvary
Third century Roman inscriptions discovered in the Basque Country
Here's a brief article outlining the recent discovery of a 3rd Century depiction of Calvary in Spain.
Updated: Try the link now, it seems to have changed.
buck on 06.18.06 @ 12:11 AM EST [link]
We did go to Akron after all this morning. We left right on time at 7 AM, and made it Akron right on time at 9 AM. My sister Lori brought baby Jacob over too, and Katelyn just loved playing with her new cousin. She tried to haul Jacob around like a sack of potatoes, but we managed to keep the damage to a minimum. It’s hard to remember that Katelyn is only four!